Difference between revisions of "SL Certification"
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[[Category:Certification]] | [[Category:Certification]] | ||
== | ==Action Plan So Far== | ||
SL Certification is a task-based approach to identifying those who have attained a given level of proficiency in-world in a given topic area. Alhough specially selected in-world schools are used for the education, the emphasis is towards certification; so the education is driven by the requirements of the certification. | SL Certification is a task-based approach to identifying those who have attained a given level of proficiency in-world in a given topic area. Alhough specially selected in-world schools are used for the education, the emphasis is towards certification; so the education is driven by the requirements of the certification. | ||
=== Phase One - Develop Skills Lists === | |||
# SLCERT team uses VOLUNTEER MODERATORS to maintain: | # SLCERT team uses VOLUNTEER MODERATORS to maintain: | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
#** A checklist for managing their employee skills education programs or checking skills levels of their contractors | #** A checklist for managing their employee skills education programs or checking skills levels of their contractors | ||
=== Phase Two - Develop Skills Tests === | |||
== | == Process Guides == | ||
=== | === Roles === | ||
* [[SL Cert Roles | * [[SL Cert Roles]] - Six action roles identified so far in the SL Certification Project.]] | ||
===Volunteer Moderator Wiki Guide=== | === Volunteer Moderator Wiki Guide === | ||
* [http://www.fengshuichat.com/sitearm/sl_cert_moderator_wiki_guide.htm SL CERT Moderator Wiki Guide - A simple User Guide for new volunteer moderators to start and maintain their assigned skills lists.] | * [http://www.fengshuichat.com/sitearm/sl_cert_moderator_wiki_guide.htm SL CERT Moderator Wiki Guide - A simple User Guide for new volunteer moderators to start and maintain their assigned skills lists.] | ||
===Skills List Template=== | === Skills List Template === | ||
* [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Criteria Template | SL CERT Skills List Template - A template for consistent format of skills list criteria pages.]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Criteria Template | SL CERT Skills List Template - A template for consistent format of skills list criteria pages.]] | ||
===Skills Test Process=== | === Skills Test Process === | ||
* [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Process Document | SL CERT How Skills Lists Become Skills Test - A process overview for creating certification skills tests from skills lists.]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Process Document | SL CERT How Skills Lists Become Skills Test - A process overview for creating certification skills tests from skills lists.]] | ||
== | == Company Lists == | ||
=== Education Companies / Schools === | |||
:Moderator: {{User|Lady Hathaway}} | |||
* [[SchoolsList|SL Cert Schools]] | * [[SchoolsList|SL Cert Schools]] | ||
=== | === Testing Companies / Certifiers === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Hunter Benazzi}} | |||
* [[Hunter Benazzi 3rd Party Testing Agencies | SL Cert Certifiers (Candidates)]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi 3rd Party Testing Agencies | SL Cert Certifiers (Candidates)]] | ||
== | == Skills Lists == | ||
'''To become a volunteer moderator contact {{User|Hunter Benazzi}}, {{User|Sitearm Madonna}} or {{User|Glenn Linden}}.''' | |||
* In PHASE ONE ACTION PLAN these lists are sorted in the order they were first created. | |||
* In PHASE TWO ACTION PLAN a logical grouping will be added to make subjects easier to find. | |||
=== | === Land Management === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Hunter Benazzi}} | |||
* [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Basic Land Management | SL Cert Basic Land Management]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Basic Land Management | SL Cert Basic Land Management]] | ||
* [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Intermediate Land Management | SL Cert Intermediate Land Management]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Intermediate Land Management | SL Cert Intermediate Land Management]] | ||
* [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Advanced Land Management | SL Cert Advanced Land Management]] | * [[Hunter Benazzi SL Cert Advanced Land Management | SL Cert Advanced Land Management]] | ||
=== | === Texturing === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Alice Klinger}} | |||
* [[Alice Klinger - Textures Skill Set | SL Cert Texturing]] | * [[Alice Klinger - Textures Skill Set | SL Cert Texturing]] | ||
=== | === Terraforming === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Patrice Cournoyer}} | |||
* [[Patrice Cournoyer sl cert | SL Cert Terraforming]] | * [[Patrice Cournoyer sl cert | SL Cert Terraforming]] | ||
=== | === Scripting === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Louise Rumpler}} | |||
* [[Louise Rumpler SL Cert Basic Scripting | SL Cert Basic Scripting]] | * [[Louise Rumpler SL Cert Basic Scripting | SL Cert Basic Scripting]] | ||
| Line 75: | Line 80: | ||
* [[Louise Rumpler SL Cert Advanced Scripting | SL Cert Advanced Scripting]] | * [[Louise Rumpler SL Cert Advanced Scripting | SL Cert Advanced Scripting]] | ||
=== | === Event Hosting === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Eria Ziemia}} | |||
* [[Eria Ziemia sl cert | SL Cert Basic Event Hosting]] | * [[Eria Ziemia sl cert | SL Cert Basic Event Hosting]] | ||
=== | === Rotations and Positions in LSL === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Grandma Bates}} | |||
[[Grandma Bates SL Cert | SL Cert Rotations and Position in LSL ]] | [[Grandma Bates SL Cert | SL Cert Rotations and Position in LSL ]] | ||
* [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Basic Requirements | Basic Requirements]] | * [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Basic Requirements | Basic Requirements]] | ||
* [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Intermediate Requirements | Intermediate Requirements]] | * [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Intermediate Requirements | Intermediate Requirements]] | ||
* [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Advanced Requirements | Advanced Requirements]] | * [[Grandma Bates SL Cert#Advanced Requirements | Advanced Requirements]] | ||
=== | === Machinima === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Allison Selene}} | |||
* [[Allison Selene - Machinima Skills Set | SL Cert Machinima]] | * [[Allison Selene - Machinima Skills Set | SL Cert Machinima]] | ||
=== | === Building === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Aquarius Paravane}} | |||
* [[Aquarius paravane sl cert | SL Cert Building]] | * [[Aquarius paravane sl cert | SL Cert Building]] | ||
=== | === Marketing === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Ppmediadev Blinker}} | |||
* [[Ppmediadev_blinker_sl_certification | SL Cert Marketing]] | * [[Ppmediadev_blinker_sl_certification | SL Cert Marketing]] | ||
=== | === SL Mentoring === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Orange Planer}} | |||
* [[Orange planer sl cert | SL Cert SL Mentoring]] | * [[Orange planer sl cert | SL Cert SL Mentoring]] | ||
== | == Skills Tests == | ||
=== | === Scripting === | ||
:Moderator: {{User|Louise Rumpler}} | |||
* [[Louise_Rumpler_Scripting_Test_Reviews | SL Cert Basic Scripting Skills Test]] | * [[Louise_Rumpler_Scripting_Test_Reviews | SL Cert Basic Scripting Skills Test]] | ||
== | == Meetings and Notes == | ||
Certification discussions, hosted by {{User|Hunter Benazzi}} (2009), {{User|Emily Darrow}} (2008), and {{User|Sitearm Madonna}} (Scribe) | |||
* [http://slurl.com/secondlife/SLDEVU/227/73/27 Location (SLDEVU ISLAND)] | |||
* [http://www.spin-stream.com/support/forumdisplay.php?f=90 Minutes (SP COUNCIL FORUM)] | |||
===4Q08 Accomplishments=== | === 4Q08 Accomplishments === | ||
* Team Leader Emily Darrow | * Team Leader Emily Darrow | ||
* Developed Action Plan | * Developed Action Plan | ||
* Schools List Up on Wiki | * Schools List Up on Wiki | ||
===1Q09 | ===1Q09 Accomplishments=== | ||
* Team Leader Hunter Benazzi | * Team Leader {{User|Hunter Benazzi}} | ||
* Additional Participation Generated by Post on XStreet | * Additional Participation Generated by Post on XStreet | ||
* Ten Skills Lists Up on Wiki | * Ten Skills Lists Up on Wiki | ||
===2Q09 Goals=== | === 2Q09 Goals === | ||
* Continue and Deepen Generation of Skills Lists | * Continue and Deepen Generation of Skills Lists | ||
* Begin Generation of Skills Tests | * Begin Generation of Skills Tests | ||
==Overarching Goal== | == Overarching Goal == | ||
SL Certification is the only certification group within SL that has Linden Lab's support. | SL Certification is the only certification group within SL that has Linden Lab's support. | ||
The purpose of the certification is to allow individuals to have their Second-Life skills | The purpose of the certification is to allow individuals to have their Second-Life skills recognized as meeting a set criteria, at various levels of "Basic", "Intermediate" and "Advanced" | ||
A list of certified people will then be maintained and made available to those requesting a service. | A list of certified people will then be maintained and made available to those requesting a service. | ||
| Line 142: | Line 151: | ||
Once the process is complete, a list of certified individuals will then be made publically available. | Once the process is complete, a list of certified individuals will then be made publically available. | ||
==Immediate Goal== | == Immediate Goal == | ||
* Develop certification criteria for modeling and scripting | * Develop certification criteria for modeling and scripting | ||
** We are looking for members of the Developer, Instructor, and Volunteer communities to work with Lindens in creating the skills list and certification tasks for those skills in Modeling and in Scripting. | ** We are looking for members of the Developer, Instructor, and Volunteer communities to work with Lindens in creating the skills list and certification tasks for those skills in Modeling and in Scripting. | ||
| Line 149: | Line 158: | ||
Linden Lab is supporting the development of certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification. | Linden Lab is supporting the development of certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification. | ||
It is Linden Lab's intent to work with an external certification provider to offer certification testing and maintain a list of those Residents who have been certified. | It is Linden Lab's intent to work with an external certification provider to offer certification testing and maintain a list of those Residents who have been certified. | ||
==[[:Category:SL Certification Participant|Resident Participants]]== | == Linden Participants == | ||
* {{User|Glenn Linden}} | |||
== [[:Category:SL Certification Participant|Resident Participants]] == | |||
{{:Category:SL Certification Participant}} | {{:Category:SL Certification Participant}} | ||
==Certification Mailing List== | |||
== Certification Mailing List == | |||
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/slcertification | https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/slcertification | ||
==SL Certification | == SL Certification Grou p== | ||
SL Certification Devs - request membership from | SL Certification Devs - request membership from {{User|Glenn Linden}}, {{User|Hunter Benazzi}}, or {{User|Sitearm Madonna}} in world. Membership is open to anyone who requests it. Meetings are announced here. | ||
==Frequently Asked Questions== | == Frequently Asked Questions == | ||
===What is the value of Certification?=== | === What is the value of Certification? === | ||
The primary value of certification is to those hiring people to create content for them in SL. Certification is one indication that someone has at least a minimum set of skills. Certification is only one of many ways to demonstrate competency. Certification also clarifies skills and helps instructors develop instruction. | The primary value of certification is to those hiring people to create content for them in SL. Certification is one indication that someone has at least a minimum set of skills. Certification is only one of many ways to demonstrate competency. Certification also clarifies skills and helps instructors develop instruction. | ||
| Line 168: | Line 179: | ||
By more clearly defining skills related to Second Life tools, certification may improve the quality of construction in Second Life, and may encourage a broader range of instruction about the Second Life tools. | By more clearly defining skills related to Second Life tools, certification may improve the quality of construction in Second Life, and may encourage a broader range of instruction about the Second Life tools. | ||
===Portfolios already show if someone is competent; why do we need certification?=== | === Portfolios already show if someone is competent; why do we need certification? === | ||
Portfolios have a valuable role in demonstrating accomplishment, both in RL and SL. In Second Life, many projects are done collaboratively. Builds can incorporate content that is bought and created, and many people can be involved. It can be hard to look at a project and understand what a particular person has contributed. Certification provides one method of demonstrating your own skill set. It should be only one of many potential ways to evaluate a candidate. | Portfolios have a valuable role in demonstrating accomplishment, both in RL and SL. In Second Life, many projects are done collaboratively. Builds can incorporate content that is bought and created, and many people can be involved. It can be hard to look at a project and understand what a particular person has contributed. Certification provides one method of demonstrating your own skill set. It should be only one of many potential ways to evaluate a candidate. | ||
===Is Linden Lab mandating certification?=== | === Is Linden Lab mandating certification? === | ||
You can chose to be certified if you want, or not. Linden Lab has no intent to monitor or mandate that Second Life content be created only by Residents with certification, or to mandate certification in any way. Nor will Certification (or non-certification) be tied by Linden Lab in any way to land ownership, group membership, membership level, or any other attribute of a Second Life account. While Linden Lab may provide a way for those listed in the Developer Directory to identify certification, it will not require it for the Developer Directory, Classifieds, Events, or any other Linden Lab-operated listing service. | You can chose to be certified if you want, or not. Linden Lab has no intent to monitor or mandate that Second Life content be created only by Residents with certification, or to mandate certification in any way. Nor will Certification (or non-certification) be tied by Linden Lab in any way to land ownership, group membership, membership level, or any other attribute of a Second Life account. While Linden Lab may provide a way for those listed in the Developer Directory to identify certification, it will not require it for the Developer Directory, Classifieds, Events, or any other Linden Lab-operated listing service. | ||
===Is Linden Lab mandating content of certification?=== | === Is Linden Lab mandating content of certification? === | ||
Linden Lab has engaged the Residents in defining the skills involved in competency, and in developing the appropriate demonstration of those skills. Linden Lab is not defining the skills nor the demonstration of them, it is simply supporting the process. | Linden Lab has engaged the Residents in defining the skills involved in competency, and in developing the appropriate demonstration of those skills. Linden Lab is not defining the skills nor the demonstration of them, it is simply supporting the process. | ||
===Will it cost money? Does Linden Lab intend to profit by Certification?=== | === Will it cost money? Does Linden Lab intend to profit by Certification? === | ||
Linden Lab was looking to have a third party organization manage certification; we don't want the administrative hassle of doing it, nor the potential for anyone to claim that we would have influence on who gets certified. We intend to make certification as widely available as possible. We will work with Residents, Instructors and Developers to find the best way to enable certification. | Linden Lab was looking to have a third party organization manage certification; we don't want the administrative hassle of doing it, nor the potential for anyone to claim that we would have influence on who gets certified. We intend to make certification as widely available as possible. We will work with Residents, Instructors and Developers to find the best way to enable certification. | ||
===Who will be providing the Certification service?=== | === Who will be providing the Certification service? === | ||
At this time, the only answer we can give is "Not Linden Lab." We will work with the Residents who participate in developing certification to find the best provider - whether a Resident, an external third party, or some other provider. Ironically, our original reason for only considering an external provider was to prevent any concern that one group of Residents might use Certification against other Residents. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the Certification service - we don't have the expertise or resources, nor do we want the inevitable accusations of bias. | At this time, the only answer we can give is "Not Linden Lab." We will work with the Residents who participate in developing certification to find the best provider - whether a Resident, an external third party, or some other provider. Ironically, our original reason for only considering an external provider was to prevent any concern that one group of Residents might use Certification against other Residents. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the Certification service - we don't have the expertise or resources, nor do we want the inevitable accusations of bias. | ||
===Will certification make it harder to become competent in using Second Life tools?=== | === Will certification make it harder to become competent in using Second Life tools? === | ||
Certification is a way to more clearly communicate skills. Without certification, everyone has their own idea of what competency is. Some classes will teach one set of skills, others another, and outcomes aren't comparable. That's why we're involving SL instructors in this project. | Certification is a way to more clearly communicate skills. Without certification, everyone has their own idea of what competency is. Some classes will teach one set of skills, others another, and outcomes aren't comparable. That's why we're involving SL instructors in this project. | ||
Learning to use SL Tools will still take the same amount of effort. Certification will help guide builders and scripters in what they ought to learn in order to achieve particular measurable standards. | Learning to use SL Tools will still take the same amount of effort. Certification will help guide builders and scripters in what they ought to learn in order to achieve particular measurable standards. | ||
===How will information on who is certified by made available?=== | === How will information on who is certified by made available? === | ||
The Residents involved in developing certification will help us determine the most effective way to list who is certified. | The Residents involved in developing certification will help us determine the most effective way to list who is certified. | ||
===Can we do certification in Second Life?=== | === Can we do certification in Second Life? === | ||
At least one Resident has started building a set of in-world tasks that could become part of a certification system. This seems preferable to having external tests/tasks. | At least one Resident has started building a set of in-world tasks that could become part of a certification system. This seems preferable to having external tests/tasks. | ||
==Certification Categories== | == Certification Categories == | ||
Categories for certification will be varied, and will grow over time. | |||
The basic principal behind the certification process is to provide as wide an array of subjects as possible, and involve residents with skills in these areas. | The basic principal behind the certification process is to provide as wide an array of subjects as possible, and involve residents with skills in these areas. | ||
Currently the following | Currently the following categories are being developed: | ||
* | * Graphic Design | ||
* | * Machinima | ||
* | * Client Interaction | ||
* | * Building | ||
* | * Land Management | ||
* | * Terraforming | ||
* | * Event Hosting | ||
* | * Scripting | ||
By the end of February 09 we hope to have a framework of skill-sets which will then form the basis to develop learning materials. | By the end of February 09 we hope to have a framework of skill-sets which will then form the basis to develop learning materials. | ||
==Previous Attempt at | == Previous Attempt at Categorization == | ||
An initial attempt at the SL Certification project began in the second quarter of 2007. Included below is an initial attempt at | An initial attempt at the SL Certification project began in the second quarter of 2007. Included below is an initial attempt at categorizing Modelling and Scripting skills (further works and discussion can be seen on the [[ModelingSkills|List of Modeling Skills]] and [[Scripting Certification|Scripting]] pages). The current work on skill categorization can be found in [[#SL CERTIFICATION - LISTS SO FAR|SL CERTIFICATION - LISTS SO FAR]] above. | ||
===[[Modeling Certification|Modeling]]=== | === [[Modeling Certification|Modeling]] === | ||
[[ModelingSkills|List of Modeling Skills]] | [[ModelingSkills|List of Modeling Skills]] | ||
* Architecture | * Architecture | ||
| Line 220: | Line 231: | ||
Note: Includes using scripts to animate objects and textures but no writing of scripts | Note: Includes using scripts to animate objects and textures but no writing of scripts | ||
===[[Scripting Certification|Scripting]]=== | === [[Scripting Certification|Scripting]] === | ||
* Animation | * Animation | ||
** Note: Animation includes object animation, texture animation and particle systems | ** Note: Animation includes object animation, texture animation and particle systems | ||
Revision as of 14:53, 28 March 2009
Action Plan So Far
SL Certification is a task-based approach to identifying those who have attained a given level of proficiency in-world in a given topic area. Alhough specially selected in-world schools are used for the education, the emphasis is towards certification; so the education is driven by the requirements of the certification.
Phase One - Develop Skills Lists
- SLCERT team uses VOLUNTEER MODERATORS to maintain:
- A single SCHOOLS LIST on the PUBLIC WIKI with links to their information locations showing what they teach
- Multiple SKILLS LISTS on the PUBLIC WIKI of what people need to know how to do in multiple categories of SL skills
- The VOLUNTEER MODERATORS keep the lists current
- The SCHOOLS continue to:
- Teach their classes
- Remain responsible for their own existing certification programs for now
- RESIDENTS have a choice of where to go to learn the skills
- EVERYONE has the benefit of a shared set of SKILLS LISTS for reference:
- Individuals have:
- A checklist for managing their own skills education program
- Schools have:
- The opportunity to be known for the classes they already make available
- The opportunity to offer new classes not yet available
- Solution Providers have:
- A checklist for managing their employee skills education programs or checking skills levels of their contractors
- Individuals have:
Phase Two - Develop Skills Tests
Process Guides
Roles
- SL Cert Roles - Six action roles identified so far in the SL Certification Project.]]
Volunteer Moderator Wiki Guide
Skills List Template
Skills Test Process
Company Lists
Education Companies / Schools
- Moderator: Lady Hathaway
Testing Companies / Certifiers
- Moderator: Hunter Benazzi
Skills Lists
To become a volunteer moderator contact Hunter Benazzi, Sitearm Madonna or Glenn Linden.
- In PHASE ONE ACTION PLAN these lists are sorted in the order they were first created.
- In PHASE TWO ACTION PLAN a logical grouping will be added to make subjects easier to find.
Land Management
- Moderator: Hunter Benazzi
Texturing
- Moderator: Alice Klinger
Terraforming
- Moderator: Patrice Cournoyer
Scripting
- Moderator: Louise Rumpler
Event Hosting
- Moderator: Eria Ziemia
Rotations and Positions in LSL
- Moderator: Grandma Bates
SL Cert Rotations and Position in LSL
Machinima
- Moderator: Allison Selene
Building
- Moderator: Aquarius Paravane
Marketing
- Moderator: Ppmediadev Blinker
SL Mentoring
- Moderator: Orange Planer
Skills Tests
Scripting
- Moderator: Louise Rumpler
Meetings and Notes
Certification discussions, hosted by Hunter Benazzi (2009), Emily Darrow (2008), and Sitearm Madonna (Scribe)
4Q08 Accomplishments
- Team Leader Emily Darrow
- Developed Action Plan
- Schools List Up on Wiki
1Q09 Accomplishments
- Team Leader Hunter Benazzi
- Additional Participation Generated by Post on XStreet
- Ten Skills Lists Up on Wiki
2Q09 Goals
- Continue and Deepen Generation of Skills Lists
- Begin Generation of Skills Tests
Overarching Goal
SL Certification is the only certification group within SL that has Linden Lab's support.
The purpose of the certification is to allow individuals to have their Second-Life skills recognized as meeting a set criteria, at various levels of "Basic", "Intermediate" and "Advanced"
A list of certified people will then be maintained and made available to those requesting a service.
To assist residents in achieving these levels, schools will educate those interested. They will create learning content based on the certification criteria.
Once the process is complete, a list of certified individuals will then be made publically available.
Immediate Goal
- Develop certification criteria for modeling and scripting
- We are looking for members of the Developer, Instructor, and Volunteer communities to work with Lindens in creating the skills list and certification tasks for those skills in Modeling and in Scripting.
Description
Linden Lab is supporting the development of certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification. It is Linden Lab's intent to work with an external certification provider to offer certification testing and maintain a list of those Residents who have been certified.
Linden Participants
Resident Participants
To list yourself as participating in the development of Linden Lab's SL Certification Project, add [[Category:SL Certification Participant|{{PAGENAME}}]] to your user page.
Certification Mailing List
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/slcertification
SL Certification Grou p
SL Certification Devs - request membership from Glenn Linden, Hunter Benazzi, or Sitearm Madonna in world. Membership is open to anyone who requests it. Meetings are announced here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the value of Certification?
The primary value of certification is to those hiring people to create content for them in SL. Certification is one indication that someone has at least a minimum set of skills. Certification is only one of many ways to demonstrate competency. Certification also clarifies skills and helps instructors develop instruction.
Certification also provides a set of skills against which anyone in Second Life, whether they build for fun or for hire, can measure their accomplishments.
By more clearly defining skills related to Second Life tools, certification may improve the quality of construction in Second Life, and may encourage a broader range of instruction about the Second Life tools.
Portfolios already show if someone is competent; why do we need certification?
Portfolios have a valuable role in demonstrating accomplishment, both in RL and SL. In Second Life, many projects are done collaboratively. Builds can incorporate content that is bought and created, and many people can be involved. It can be hard to look at a project and understand what a particular person has contributed. Certification provides one method of demonstrating your own skill set. It should be only one of many potential ways to evaluate a candidate.
Is Linden Lab mandating certification?
You can chose to be certified if you want, or not. Linden Lab has no intent to monitor or mandate that Second Life content be created only by Residents with certification, or to mandate certification in any way. Nor will Certification (or non-certification) be tied by Linden Lab in any way to land ownership, group membership, membership level, or any other attribute of a Second Life account. While Linden Lab may provide a way for those listed in the Developer Directory to identify certification, it will not require it for the Developer Directory, Classifieds, Events, or any other Linden Lab-operated listing service.
Is Linden Lab mandating content of certification?
Linden Lab has engaged the Residents in defining the skills involved in competency, and in developing the appropriate demonstration of those skills. Linden Lab is not defining the skills nor the demonstration of them, it is simply supporting the process.
Will it cost money? Does Linden Lab intend to profit by Certification?
Linden Lab was looking to have a third party organization manage certification; we don't want the administrative hassle of doing it, nor the potential for anyone to claim that we would have influence on who gets certified. We intend to make certification as widely available as possible. We will work with Residents, Instructors and Developers to find the best way to enable certification.
Who will be providing the Certification service?
At this time, the only answer we can give is "Not Linden Lab." We will work with the Residents who participate in developing certification to find the best provider - whether a Resident, an external third party, or some other provider. Ironically, our original reason for only considering an external provider was to prevent any concern that one group of Residents might use Certification against other Residents. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the Certification service - we don't have the expertise or resources, nor do we want the inevitable accusations of bias.
Will certification make it harder to become competent in using Second Life tools?
Certification is a way to more clearly communicate skills. Without certification, everyone has their own idea of what competency is. Some classes will teach one set of skills, others another, and outcomes aren't comparable. That's why we're involving SL instructors in this project. Learning to use SL Tools will still take the same amount of effort. Certification will help guide builders and scripters in what they ought to learn in order to achieve particular measurable standards.
How will information on who is certified by made available?
The Residents involved in developing certification will help us determine the most effective way to list who is certified.
Can we do certification in Second Life?
At least one Resident has started building a set of in-world tasks that could become part of a certification system. This seems preferable to having external tests/tasks.
Certification Categories
Categories for certification will be varied, and will grow over time. The basic principal behind the certification process is to provide as wide an array of subjects as possible, and involve residents with skills in these areas.
Currently the following categories are being developed:
- Graphic Design
- Machinima
- Client Interaction
- Building
- Land Management
- Terraforming
- Event Hosting
- Scripting
By the end of February 09 we hope to have a framework of skill-sets which will then form the basis to develop learning materials.
Previous Attempt at Categorization
An initial attempt at the SL Certification project began in the second quarter of 2007. Included below is an initial attempt at categorizing Modelling and Scripting skills (further works and discussion can be seen on the List of Modeling Skills and Scripting pages). The current work on skill categorization can be found in SL CERTIFICATION - LISTS SO FAR above.
Modeling
- Architecture
- Furnishings/Interior Design
- Objects
- Weapons and Vehicles
Note: Includes using scripts to animate objects and textures but no writing of scripts
Scripting
- Animation
- Note: Animation includes object animation, texture animation and particle systems
- Attachments
- Movement
- Physics & Collisions
- Detection & Sensing
- Asset Management
- Setting Properties
- Communications
- Interacting with external data stores & web content
- Media Management
Alternative Method:
- Dynamic Objects - manipulation of objects
- Subcategory: Physics and movement in 3-D space
- Subcategory: Primitive Attributes
- User interaction
- Subcategory: User input and communication
- Subcategory: Event handling
- Web interface
- HTML, XML/RPC, and any knowledge of web languages - Perl, Python, PHP, Java, etc